PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Wojtek Svalbard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shane Turnham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Svalbard
vs
Turnham

200 cm
29
220 lbs
9 - 10 - 0

200 cm
27
210 lbs
7 - 3 - 1

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Wojtek Svalbard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Shane Turnham!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Hugh Johnson and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Turnham scores with a head kick.

It looks like Wojtek Svalbard has been cut.
Turnham tries for a takedown but Svalbard circles away easily

and Svalbard counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Turnham wants to get back to full guard but Svalbard has passed into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Svalbard moves into full mount!
Svalbard throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Svalbard wants to take Turnham's back but he can't do it this time.
Svalbard content just to control the position here.
Svalbard looking to control but Turnham is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Svalbard tries to take Turnham's back but instead Turnham uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Turnham is trying to maintain the position but Svalbard is very close to passing his half guard.
Svalbard trying to control the pace.
It looks like Svalbard is going to stand back up.
Turnham is in trouble now - Svalbard has advanced to mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Turnham tries to hold on but Svalbard pushes him away.
Turnham can't escape the position.
Svalbard trying to control but Turnham is having none of it.
Turnham's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Svalbard trying to control but Turnham is having none of it.
Turnham gets back to half guard.
Svalbard moves nicely into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turnham regains half guard, as Svalbard was trying to land strikes.

Svalbard wants to work for an arm triangle but Turnham is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Turnham is trying to stand back up but Svalbard is controlling him
Turnham won't allow Svalbard to pass to mount.
Turnham is looking to get back to full guard here but Svalbard has managed to pass to side control instead.

Svalbard decides to stand up, so the ref orders Turnham to his feet.

Svalbard feints and as Turnham raises his hands in defense, Svalbard changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Turnham controls Svalbard momentarily but Svalbard frees himself.
Svalbard stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Turnham swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Turnham working a defensive guard here.
Svalbard stands and throws Turnham's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Svalbard wants to control but Turnham is keeping him busy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Svalbard decides to stand up, so the ref orders Turnham to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wojtek Svalbard dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Wojtek Svalbard's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Turnham lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Svalbard backs up against the cage.
Turnham scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Svalbard throws a looping overhand right but Turnham ducks down to avoid it.
Turnham throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Turnham misses with a few strikes there.

Turnham moves into the clinch.

Svalbard escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Turnham.
Turnham throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Wojtek Svalbard's cut is getting worse.
Turnham misses with a takedown attempt - Svalbard sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A head kick misses from Turnham.
Turnham lands a nice looking body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Turnham misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Svalbard rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Turnham moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Svalbard rushes Turnham and presses him up against the cage.

Svalbard ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Svalbard no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Turnham stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Turnham throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Horrible takedown by Turnham or perhaps it was just good defense by Svalbard which made him look bad.

Svalbard has Turnham up against the cage in a clinch.
Svalbard controlling the action here for a moment.

Svalbard tightens his grip and picks Turnham up, before dumping him to the ground. Turnham manages to land in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Svalbard trying to control but Turnham is working from the bottom.
Svalbard is looking to stand up but Turnham won't let him.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Turnham wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Svalbard passes easily into side control. Nice work.
A lull in the action here as Svalbard stalls from top position.
Turnham is trying to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turnham is letting Svalbard control him for a moment.

Svalbard decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Wojtek Svalbard is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Turnham lands with a good body shot.
Turnham shoots in for a double leg but Svalbard sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Wojtek Svalbard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shane Turnham.
Turnham lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Turnham feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Svalbard's calf.
Turnham shoots in for a takedown but Svalbard shows good takedown defense.
Svalbard on the wrong end of a kick to the body.

Svalbard has taken the fight to the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Turnham stops a takedown attempt from Svalbard.

Svalbard pulls guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Svalbard keeping full guard, as Turnham tries to pass.
Turnham throwing strikes but missing.
Turnham throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Svalbard works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Turnham trying to control the position from guard on top but Svalbard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Svalbard bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Turnham's guard.
Svalbard wants to stand but Turnham has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Svalbard is pushing down on Turnham's leg trying to pass to half guard. Turnham is fighting to maintain full guard but Svalbard has managed to sneak the leg through.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Svalbard trying to pass the guard but Turnham defending well.

Svalbard looking for a submission but Turnham manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shane Turnham showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Wojtek Svalbard's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Turnham throws a right hand that Svalbard ducks under and follows up with a left that Svalbard also avoids with ease.
Turnham fails with the takedown

and Svalbard counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Svalbard.
Svalbard misses with some punches.
Svalbard throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Turnhams head.
Turnham tries for a takedown. No joy.
Turnham is trying to drag Svalbard to the mat but Svalbard just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Wojtek Svalbard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shane Turnham.
Svalbard misses with an elbow over the top.
Turnham jumps guard but Svalbard stands there with Turnham around his waist. Turnham gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Svalbard leaning against his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Svalbard is looking for a takedown.
Svalbard tries to stall but Turnham uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Svalbard has Turnham pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Turnham manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Svalbard prevents Turnham from breaking the clinch.
Svalbard tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Turnham just stands there and leans against the cage.
Turnham comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Nice body punch from Turnham.
Svalbard drops down looking for an ankle pick but Turnham pulls his leg out and moves away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Turnham throws a shot to the body.

Turnham moves into the clinch.
Turnham putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Svalbard in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Turnham jumps into guard, dragging Svalbard to the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Svalbard wants to pass the guard but Turnham is keeping the position.
Svalbard's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Turnham keeping moving, preventing Svalbard from controlling successfully.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Turnham has his feet on Svalbard's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Turnham displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Turnham moves in looking to clinch but Svalbard pushes him off.
Turnham pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Svalbard back to the cage. Turnham follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

Wojtek Svalbard's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.

Svalbard has closed the distance and engaged Turnham in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turnham utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Svalbard has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Turnham after a bit of a struggle.

Turnham manages to pull guard.
Svalbard tries to free his leg and advance position but Turnham is retaining full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Svalbard trying to control but Turnham is working from the bottom.
Turnham wants to stand up but Svalbard is controlling him.
Wojtek Svalbard overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Svalbard trying to control the position from guard on top but Turnham is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Svalbard is really struggling to control Turnham but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Wojtek Svalbard wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Svalbard keeps the fight on the outside.
Shane Turnham seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Turnham fails with the takedown.
Svalbard stuffs the takedown attempt from Turnham. Turnham gets slowly back to his feet.

Svalbard shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Svalbard is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Svalbard pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Turnham is keeping the position for now.
Turnham can't keep his opponent in guard - Svalbard advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shane Turnham comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Turnham has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 28:29
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shane Turnham!
Shane Turnham took some time post fight to say the following; '1219 All Day, Kill All Rats!'.